The RadPointer gamma

The RadPointer gamma probe is an ultrasensitive intraoperative probe for oncological radioguided surgery. The RadPointer-Gamma gamma probe helps surgeons locate cancerous tumors, metastases and sentinel lymph nodes labeled with radiopharmaceuticals and remove them with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Usually, this procedure occurs immediately after preoperative PET or SPECT imaging, thus additionally using the local concentration of the radioisotope previously administered to the patient.

The RadPointer system consists of a hand-held compact wireless sensor and proprietary software that can be installed on any PC.

The RadPointer-Gamma is primarily intended for use in conjunction with PET for tumor localization and delineation of resection margins in vivo and ex-vivo. It is only sensitive to positrons that have a very short path in tissue (1-5 mm, depending on the type of positron-emitting isotope), so it has a very thin (and relatively fragile) entrance window.

Main parts of RadPointer-Gamma:

Front window of the front tip (different layout of the detector unit and an additional tungsten collimator to eliminate diffuse background). It has a front window made of stainless steel, so it is more reliable mechanically, light and waterproof.

Sensor body: It consists of a plastic handle (electronic container and battery container) with a back cover that also serves as an ON-OFF rotary switch, and a stainless steel tube (detector container).

Application:

• Localization of sentinel lymph nodes
• Intraoperative localization of the tumor and recurrent/metastatic lesions
• Detection of metastatic lymph nodes
• Ex vivo testing
• Diagnostic detection and localization of the tumor